On July 26, 2021, United States District Judge William L. Campbell, Jr. approved the agreement and stated that it is “fair, reasonable, and adequate for Altima drivers.” The settlement only applies to Nissan Altimas with halogen headlamps from the 2013 to 2018 model years. Xenon or LED headlamps are not included by the settlement. You can read more about the exact models covered and uncovered by the agreement here.
For eligible Altima drivers, the following relief is offered:
- an addition of three years to the guarantee covering headlamp dimming brought on by delamination, raising the total warranty time to six years;
- For owners whose vehicles are still covered by the six-year extended warranty, Nissan will pay for an immediate headlight replacement from an authorized dealer, and
- reimbursement for headlamps that need to be changed because of fading before October 25, 2021;
- For Altimas that are or will be outside the extended warranty period as of January 2022, a single headlight replacement from an authorized dealer.
Owners and lessees of Nissan Altimas who meet the requirements can submit a claim for out-of-pocket costs associated with headlamp replacements here. (Note: According to the settlement website, the online form will be available on or around August 12.) The application for reimbursement must be submitted no later than April 25, 2022.
Drivers of Altima vehicles who are past the six-year extended warranty period will receive a postcard notice from the administrator once the settlement goes into effect informing them that they have 65 days to complete a form asking for free headlight replacements. After that, a six-month window will open up for customers to get free headlamp replacements from a licensed Nissan dealer.
Even if you don’t take any action, you will still be covered and receive a three-year extension of the warranty on your Altima’s headlamps.
On the settlement website, you can find answers to frequently asked issues.
In This Article...
What is the turnaround time for a headlamp assembly replacement?
- Pick a spot with sufficient lighting in your garage or a tidy portion of your driveway to work on your car. Be calm and give yourself plenty of time (at least two hours) to change a headlight. It can be straightforward, but it also might turn out to be trickier than you anticipated.
- Mark the location of the wiring removal with masking tape and a felt-tip pen to ensure that it is reinstalled accurately.
- Kneeling or working beneath the car can be made more comfortable by using an old throw rug, a rubber mat, or a sizable piece of clean cardboard to lie on.
- When connections are made, keep an eye out for a loud click.
- Any fasteners and retaining clips you’ve taken off should go in a container or jar. Otherwise, they’d be too simple to lose.
We anticipate that your headlight replacement efforts will succeed if you follow these advice. We also hope that you don’t need to replace as many bulbs as this guy:
Is it challenging to swap out a headlamp assembly?
If you have the necessary equipment on hand, replacing a headlight component is not all that much more difficult than changing a lightbulb. Given how expensive new headlights can be, saving money on components and labor by performing a work like this yourself is only beneficial.
Why are the headlights on a Nissan Altima so dim?
The low-beam headlights on 2013–2018 Nissan Altima vehicles are allegedly too dim for owners to drive at night, according to a class action lawsuit.
The Nissan Altimas’ halogen headlights feature reflecting parts that are supposedly flawed. Headlights lose their brightness when the reflective surface ages. When this occurs, police may stop moving vehicles to check the headlights.
Nissan is accused of being aware of the headlight issues since at least 2013, but failed to alert customers. Nissan doesn’t provide free replacement parts; instead, customers must pay up to $1,200 for costs associated with the headlamp assemblies.
The reflector cup inside the assembly supposedly cannot survive the heat produced by the halogen light bulbs and loses its capacity to reflect, which is why customers claim that changing the headlight bulbs does not solve the issue.
The projector cup’s reflecting coating burns off, leaving behind burned material that eventually covers the headlights’ lens and weakens the beam.
The reflector cup cannot be changed or the haze removed since the headlight assembly is sealed. The seals do not adequately guard against moisture, which can harm the cups.
What is the purpose of the Nissan headlamp recall?
This class action complaint claims that halogen-headlamp-equipped 2013–2018 Nissan Altimas (the “Class Vehicles”) have a flaw that causes the internal reflecting surface of the headlamp to deteriorate, which causes the low beam headlights to fade.
Nissan North America, Inc. (“Nissan”) has consented to a class action Settlement despite vigorously disputing all charges of misconduct and culpability. All genuine Nissan replacement parts have been produced with a new design from December 2018.
It is only a synopsis on this page. For further information, click the sections above. To all current and previous owners and lessees of Class Vehicles, the Settlement offers the following sorts of relief:
(1) Headlamp replacement reimbursement before October 25, 2021: Prior to October 25, 2021, you may make a claim for compensation if you spent money replacing your headlamps because they were dimming. The reimbursement claim submission deadline is April 25, 2022. For further information about reimbursement, see the FAQs.
(2) 3-Year Extension of the Manufacturer’s Warranty Covering Headlamp Dimming Due to Delamination: Nissan will offer a 3-year extension of the manufacturer’s warranty covering headlamp dimming due to delamination, for a total of 6 years of coverage, starting on the Settlement’s Effective Date, which is anticipated to be on or after January 20, 2022. The same conditions that apply to the normal warranty also apply to this transferrable warranty. Bring your Class Vehicle to a Nissan Authorized Dealer during the extended warranty term to receive replacement headlamps.
(3) The choice to get an immediate replacement from a licensed Nissan dealer and receive payment: You can pay out-of-pocket for replacement headlamps from an Authorized Nissan Dealer and submit a claim for reimbursement if you are currently inside the 6-year extended warranty period and do not wish to wait until the Effective Date of the settlement. The deadline for reimbursement claims is April 25, 2022.
(4) One-Time Replacement for Class Vehicles That Are or Will Be Outside the Extended Warranty as of the Effective Date: If your Class Vehicle will not be covered by the extended warranty on January 20, 2022, you will be eligible to receive a single set of headlamps as soon as the settlement is finalized.
Class members who are not covered by the 6-year extended warranty will receive a special postcard notice from the claims administrator when the Settlement becomes effective. Members of the class are thus notified that they have 65 days to submit a form requesting free replacements. After that, a six-month opportunity will open up for you to get free replacement headlamps from a Nissan dealer. Keep a look out for the postcard notice anytime after January 20, 2022, as this is time-sensitive.
What is the price of installing a headlight assembly?
You may spend between $50 and $100 to replace a headlight assembly, depending on the type and the specifics of your car. Depending on the year, make, and model of your car, labor expenses for this kind of repair normally run from $100 to $200.
Can you change a headlight’s plastic cover?
Many people choose to replace their own headlamp covers in order to save money. If money is not a concern for you, hiring an expert is usually simpler.
DIY
Pros:
- Quicker There are no waiting periods like at auto repair businesses.
- Cheaper
- Labor prices won’t be an issue for you.
Cons:
- You may make mistakes and harm others.
- You might not correctly attach the cover.
Auto shop
- They are equipped with everything required to meet your vehicle’s specific headlight cover requirements.
- It is correctly replaced the first time.
- greater expense
- You’ll be without a vehicle for one or two days.
Is AutoZone going to replace my headlight?
AutoZone can assist you in replacing a burned-out headlight bulb, but only if you bought the replacement bulb from their store and only if the procedure doesn’t involve disassembling the car.
While knowledgeable AutoZone staff members can assist you with a straightforward replacement, the store is not a substitute for a qualified mechanic. To execute a service, they won’t take apart or remove any of your car’s components.
Not all AutoZones will change your headlight for you, to add to that. You shouldn’t rely on your neighborhood AutoZone to assist you service your automobile because different locations may have different policies. Of course, you can always show up and inquire, but for your own protection, you should definitely have a scheduled mechanic appointment.
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Should both headlamp assemblies be changed?
The solution is that replacing both bulbs is not necessary. However, there are several benefits to having a skilled Ace Auto Parts mechanic replace both lights at once. You don’t want both headlamps to go out, which is the main justification for replacing all of the headlights at once.
How can I tell if my headlight assembly has to be replaced?
It’s time to change your bulbs if you find that they are flickering or getting dim. Additionally, if one bulb is out or fading, the other will soon follow. Therefore, swap out both bulbs at once. In many modern automobiles, a single bulb handles both the high and low beams.
How can you tell if a headlamp assembly is necessary?
4 indicators that you need new headlights
- The headlights of cars are dim. After a while, headlights lose their brilliance, so if you find yours are becoming darker than before, that’s a sign they’re nearing the end of their useful life and will soon burn out.
- The lights of cars are flickering.
- The headlights of cars are dim.
- The lights in cars are out.
Do headlights get changed at O’Reilly car parts?
Headlight bulb replacement is a fairly simple repair.
Simply drop by one of our locations and pick up some headlight bulbs. You can try changing them yourself, or we’ll be pleased to do it for you. Not every location offers all services.
Can just the headlamp cover be changed?
The typical price range for headlamp coverings is $150 to $300 for a pair.
If you are confident with the full installation process, you may even save some money by installing the headlight covers yourself.
The headlight’s size, shape, and design, as well as the labor rate, all affect the final cost.
What’s included in a headlight assembly?
In the past, the headlamp assembly was a straightforward affair that was simple to swap out in a plug-and-play manner. Modern automobiles may have given up some of the simplicity of earlier designs, but they have improved in many other areas, including technology, efficiency, safety, and longevity.
A headlight assembly typically consists of several pieces, and while they can be upgraded or modified aftermarketly, they can also be replaced with factory-supplied originals.
The Housing
The housing is what attaches to the car’s body and holds and shields the bulbs from the elements. Depending on the type, it could consist of one or several pieces, with various colored lenses to aid distinguish between turn signals, parking lights, and headlights.
Additionally, the enclosure shields the bulb from the engine compartment and offers a reflective surface to intensify and direct the light. Small modifications can be made at the back of the housing to position the headlights. Since the solid plastic doesn’t have much give, it’s usual to experience cracks and damage to the housing in minor collisions, however many vehicles are built to make this a simpler fix.